October 27th, 2011 §
By: Becca
I was an unabashed wino Saturday night, stained lips and all. I didn’t care; I was at Wine Riot, surrounded by hundreds of other 20-something winos who couldn’t tell a grigio from a gris. But that was the point: Don’t call us connoisseurs; we just know good wine when we taste it.
And taste it we did. There were more than 30 wineries pouring 250 different wines at the DAR Constitution Hall. We tore through more than 2,000 bottles (kind of ridiculous, no?). The best part was, while hopping from pour to pour, I was tracking all my tastes on Wine Riot’s super helpful mobile app.
Wine Riot DC
Of course, I made a point to taste all the sparklings being offered. And so I present you my top five picks for your next brunch party—all $15 or less. Orange juice optional.
Mionetto IL Moscato
My tasting notes: Super crisp. Bottle looks fancy but, hey, it’s only $10! Should I mention the “gentle effervescence?” Meh, this bubbly is good.
$10; find it at Barmy Wines or 1 West Dupont Circle Wine.
NV Pascual Toso Brut
My tasting notes: Not as much flavor as I’m used to, but I’m sure a spot of creme de cassis would liven this Argentinean brut up.
$13; find it at 1 West Dupont Circle Wine.
Giorgio & Gianni VIVA Frizzante
My tasting notes: Hello, my new Italian lovers, Giorgio and Gianni, and thank you for this sparkling. It makes me want to embrace life, frizz(ante) and all.
$8; find it at Scneider’s of Capitol Hill or 1 West Dupont Circle Wine.
Mionetto Prosecco
My tasting notes: Another Mionetto, I know, I know; but that’s because they are good. I like this one because it’s got a bottle top, and it tastes like apples. Yes, apples.
$14; find it at Barmy Wines or 1 West Dupont Circle Wine.
NV Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco
My tasting notes: Gosh, I haven’t had any actual champagne here. Oh well, back to the prosecco. This one is peachy and great because it’s super chilled. I want this at my next picnic.
$15; find it at 1 West Dupont Circle Wine.
March 4th, 2011 §
By: Cori Sue
The Bitches had just finished running in Cupid’s Undie Run. We were drunk. So, of course, we needed pizza. However, it happened to be 2 p.m., rather than 2 a.m., on a Saturday, and we were in our skivvies. I knew exactly where to go: We the Pizza, which happened to be right next door.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Because I’m type A, I had planned far in advance to go there after the race, as I had been dying to try Spike’s pizza joint. I am a pizza fiend, and complain about DC’s lack of quality pie on the reg. But, I rarely make it to Capitol Hill, since we have so many great restaurants in my Logan Circle ‘hood. So, finally, I had arrived, and I was ready.
Right upon walking in the door, my eyes focused in on the delicious mushroom-laden pizza, which, I would come to find also possessed the magic fragrance and flavor of my most favorite ingredient: truffle oil. This “Forest Shroomin” pie was made with fresh thyme, mozzarella, and the aforementioned truffle oil, giving it the strong earthy flavor I know and love. And, best of all, rather than regular mushrooms like portabello or shitake, it was topped with a blend of wild forest mushrooms.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Jocelyn ordered a piece-a-pizza that was white: ricotta, fontina, roasted garlic, Parmesan, sea salt, olive oil, fresh Italian parsley.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Meaghan chose a slice of the buffalo chicken pie, with spicy boneless wings, blue cheese, mozzarella, and hot cause. A native New Yorker, she gushed: “Ugh that slice was amazing, the weekend before I was in NYC and had a late-night slice of buffalo chicken pizza in the East Village. It’s hard to compete with NY pizza, and nothing will ever top a New York slice, but it was the best pizza I’ve had in DC, and I’ve lived here for five years! The combination of the white sauce and hot sauce was delicious and a unique touch.”
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Best of all, despite the preponderance of gourmet ingredients, slices ring in at $4, totally affordable for something so damn good, if I do say so myself.
The Bitches say: Finally! Good pizza in D.C.—Spike gets an A (no surprise). Now, if only they delivered.
We, The Pizza
305 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 544-4008
August 18th, 2010 §
By: Cori Sue
City folk tend to be passionate about their preferred Asian takeout establishment. This city girl is no different, and Thaitanic has my vote for best Thai carryout.
Sadly, the competition isn’t that stiff. I often lament the lack of quick, affordable, and healthy take-out and delivery in this city. It’s true, D.C. is no New York when it comes to fast food at all hours of the night. However, Thaitanic is an exception. While the prices aren’t phenomenal, it’s still more affordable than most good D.C. cuisine. The food is delicious and well-prepared, and the lunch specials are easiest on the wallet.
I often find myself craving the papaya salad ($7.95), made with shredded green papaya and sun-dried shrimp mixed with tomatoes and string beans in a spicy lime dressing, and then sprinkled with crushed peanuts. It’s healthy, delectable, and I would travel many miles for its deliciousness but, thankfully, it’s only two blocks away (hurrah!).
Traditional dishes like pad thai, red and green curries, and shrimp and snowpeas in oyster sauce do not disappoint. Like most Thai restaurants, they have an abundance of vegetarian and seafood options as well as mild, hot, or spicy choices.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
On our most recent trip, my hunger was quelled by the veggie green curry. Crisp snow peas, bamboo shoots, and carrots, zucchini, grilled tofu and rice in a light, creamy coconut curry sauce with the perfect amount of spice.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Boyfriend went for the Panang, choice of meat (he chose chicken) in a curry peanut sauce combined with coconut milk and sprinkled with kaffir lime leaves. As you can see by the thumbs up, he was also very pleased with his spicy-and-satisfying choice.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Thaitanic Logan Circle
1326- A 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 588-1795 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (202) 588-1795 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Thaitanic Columbia Heights
3462 14th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 387-0882
August 11th, 2010 §
By: Cori Sue
On a recent girls night, a fellow vegetarian and I headed to Café Green, a newly opened vegan café in Dupont Circle.
Nestled in a charming row house with ample outdoor seating, Café Green is in a prime location on the main drag of 17th Street. The space is bright, open, clean, and pleasant. The servers were attentive and friendly.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
The prices? Shockingly affordable. Typically, I expect a healthful meal to be pricey, but I was surprised at how low the prices were. Salads like Caesar, spinach avocado, mango kale, seaweed, and Asian sesame, ran $5 to $7. Entrees like gnocchi arrabiata, veggie paella, summer veggie chili, ratatouille and quinoa ranged $10-$12. A full meal for less than $20 in Dupont Circle? Hard to come by.
So, Vegan food. Having tried the Vegan thing a few years back, I knew to avoid all “cheese” and “chicken.” Because, they’re fake, and frankly, nothing in the world can be as good as real cheese. So, entrees like chili cheese fries and mac-and-cheese were a definite no. I settled on the veggie dumplings with sesame peanut butter and soy tahini dipping sauces. The dumplings were delicious—perfectly prepared and equal-if-not-better to those served at an Asian restaurant. The sauces had great flavor.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
With my dumplings, I had the seaweed salad—a mix of marinated seaweeds in a sweet soy dressing topped with cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, and onion. It was fresh, but the dressing had the funkiest taste and I had trouble eating it, to be honest.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Similarly, my dinner date had the veggie burger platter—a vegan patty on a whole wheat bun topped with cheese, lettuce, and tomato and served with a side of fries. She lamented the bizarre flavors of the burger and the seasoning on the fries.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
The bitches say: C+. The disparity between the dumpling deliciousness and the other entrée failures leaves me questioning what to think about Café Green. However, it’s close, cheap, healthy, and affordable, so I may go back to investigate the extensive menu further.
Café Green
1513 17th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
(202) 234-0538
July 13th, 2010 §
By: Cori Sue
Having spent part of my childhood in Argentina, empanadas and dulce de leche are my two favorite foods. Lucky for yours truly, Panas Empanadas, which recently opened in Dupont, has both.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Although Panas’ empanadas aren’t as good as the ones my mom makes, or the ones off the street carts in Buenos Aires, they’re pretty damn good. The selection is great—Panas has 14 savory flavors—including 5 vegetarian and 3 seafood options. (Heaven for this pescetarian). We sampled 6 different kinds– and they were all scrumptious. The Samba Shrimp empanada was by far the best.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Panas also offers several combo meals that include drinks, banana chips, side salads, dessert empanadas, and dipping sauces. The dipping sauces—salsa verde, aji, chimi or pimento—are a great way to spice up the meal. Amazingly, Panas is affordable—$12 for a combo that fed two. For dessert, Panas has three sweet empanadas—dulce de leche, guava fruit, or berry cocoa. When we visited, they were out of dulce de leche, and I was not pleased.
Beyond the dulce de leche drought, my lone qualm is the only drink option is fountain sodas. And, friends, soda is bad for you!
Panas Empanadas
2029 P St. N.W. Washington, D.C.
(202) 223-2964
April 1st, 2010 §
By: Cori Sue
I’ve come to realize that when I go out to dinner, between dinner, drinks, and dessert, it’s going to be at a minimum $50 per person, often more. For all its amazing cuisine, D.C. tends to lack delicious, affordable places. However, local chain Teaism is the exception, offering a variety of Asian options– Japanese, Thai and Indian, as well as a variety of teas, beers and other unique beverages.
It’s no secret I love Teaism, I raved about it on my first blog post. Since then, I’ve visited it twice more– my guests loved it so much they wanted to go twice! Below, behold, the delicious, nutritious and affordable bento box (Tuna Sashimi) in all its glory:
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Also, I never knew rice to be exciting. But, I get all jazzed up about their rice and want to devour it. They have this snazzy spice concoction they put on top that-SHAZAM- makes boring white rice phenomenal.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
And, of course, cucumber ginger salad is always a healthy, light, and yummy choice.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
On my second and third Teaism trips, I worked to try various things on the menu. I was hesitant to try the Jasmine Creme Brulee because of (1) jasmine in creme brulee? and (2) would the carmelized sugar crust be hard and crunchy or it be mushy like pudding? I am very pleased to report it was amazing and I forced myself to share with both friends, who nodded in delicious agreements while we fought for the last bites. I also sampled the Iced Sweet Green Tea which was very sugary, reminiscent of good ol’ Southern Sweet Tea, but with a lovely flavor.
Photo credit: Cori Sue Morris
Random Teaism tidbits: The Penn Quarter location has a huge downstairs seating area with the biggest Koi I’ve ever seen in my life. You can also get it to-go and sit out on the Navy Memorial. Dupont has less seating–inside and out. The Dupont location offers brown rice while Penn Quarter does not. Both places will allow you to switch out different sides between the bento box menu options, however, they will not let you substitute seaweed salad, which is most regretable.
The bitches say: A + for delicious, healthy, affordable food in a rush.
Teaism’s three locations are:
Lafayette Park: 800 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.
Dupont Circle: 2009 R St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
Penn Quarter: 400 8th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
